RRB NTPC syllabus & exam pattern
Complete subject-wise topic breakdown for CBT 1 and CBT 2, marking scheme, 1/3 negative marking, qualifying marks, and section weightage.
Exam pattern: CBT 1 vs CBT 2
Both stages are Computer Based Tests (CBT) consisting of multiple-choice questions with 4 options.
| Section | CBT 1 Questions | CBT 1 Marks | CBT 2 Questions | CBT 2 Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Awareness | 40 | 40 | 50 | 50 |
| Mathematics | 30 | 30 | 35 | 35 |
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 30 | 30 | 35 | 35 |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 120 | 120 |
| Duration | 90 minutes (120 min for PwBD) | 90 minutes (120 min for PwBD) | ||
| Negative Marking | 1/3 mark per wrong answer | 1/3 mark per wrong answer | ||
Marking scheme & rules
Understanding how marks are calculated is crucial to avoid unnecessary negative deductions.
Score calculation
- Correct answer: +1 mark
- Incorrect answer: -1/3 mark (-0.33)
- Unattempted question: 0 marks (no penalty)
- Net score formula:
Score = Correct - (Wrong / 3) - You need 3 correct answers to recover the loss of 1 wrong answer.
Minimum qualifying marks
- UR & EWS: 40% (40 marks in CBT 1, 48 in CBT 2)
- OBC-NCL: 30% (30 marks in CBT 1, 36 in CBT 2)
- SC: 30% (30 marks in CBT 1, 36 in CBT 2)
- ST: 25% (25 marks in CBT 1, 30 in CBT 2)
- PwBD candidates receive a 2% relaxation if seats remain unfilled.
Mathematics syllabus
Questions test numerical ability, basic arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and elementary statistics up to Class 10 standard.
Detailed topics
- Number System: Integers, rational numbers, BODMAS rule, divisibility rules.
- Decimals & Fractions: Recurring decimals, fraction conversions, simplification.
- LCM & HCF: Factors, prime factorization, application problems.
- Ratio & Proportion: Direct/inverse proportions, partnerships, mixtures.
- Percentages: Population problems, consumption and expenditure changes.
- Mensuration: Areas & perimeters of 2D shapes, volumes & surface areas of cylinders, cones, spheres.
- Time & Work: Work efficiency, wages, pipes and cisterns.
- Time & Distance: Relative speed, trains, platforms, boats and streams.
- Simple & Compound Interest: Annual and half-yearly compounding, difference between SI & CI.
- Profit & Loss: Marked price, discounts, successive discounts, false weights.
- Elementary Algebra: Linear equations in 1 and 2 variables, quadratic equations, identities.
- Geometry & Trigonometry: Triangles, circles, chords, trigonometric ratios, heights and distances.
- Elementary Statistics: Mean, median, mode, standard deviation, frequency tables, pie charts.
General Intelligence and Reasoning syllabus
Tests logic, problem-solving speed, spatial visualization, and verbal/non-verbal deduction.
Detailed topics
- Analogies: Word analogy, letter/symbol analogy, number pair analogies.
- Series Completion: Number series, alphabet series, continuous pattern series.
- Coding & Decoding: Letter shifting, number substitution, matrix coding.
- Mathematical Operations: Interchange of symbols, equation balancing.
- Similarities & Differences: Odd one out, classification.
- Relationships: Blood relations, family tree, coded relationships.
- Analytical Reasoning: Seating arrangement (circular, linear), ranking and ordering.
- Syllogism: Statements and conclusions (All, Some, None rules, Venn-based).
- Venn Diagrams: 2 and 3 circle representations, set relations.
- Puzzles: Scheduling, day/month/box puzzles, floor arrangement.
- Data Sufficiency: Determining if given statements suffice to answer.
- Statement-Conclusion & Assumptions: Logical deductions, strong/weak arguments.
- Courses of Action: Practical problem-solving steps.
- Direction Sense & Graphs: Compass directions, turns, bar graph & chart interpretation.
General Awareness syllabus
With 40 questions in CBT 1 and 50 questions in CBT 2, this is the highest-weightage section in RRB NTPC.
Detailed topics
- Current Affairs: National and international events, appointments, sports awards, summits, books and authors.
- General Science: Physics, Chemistry, Biology up to 10th CBSE level (inventions, human body, vitamins, diseases, chemical formulas).
- History of India: Ancient India, Delhi Sultanate, Mughal Empire, British Rule, Indian Freedom Struggle (1857 to 1947).
- Geography: Rivers, mountain ranges, climate, agriculture, national parks, mineral resources of India and the world.
- Indian Polity & Governance: Constitution, Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles, President, Parliament, Supreme Court, Panchayati Raj.
- Indian Economy: Budget concepts, GST, banking terminology, Five Year Plans, NITI Aayog, inflation, RBI policies.
- Science & Technology: ISRO space exploration missions (Chandrayaan, Gaganyaan), DRDO defense systems, nuclear program.
- Environmental Issues: Global warming, biodiversity, climate protocols, Ramsar wetland sites, environmental acts.
- Basics of Computers: Hardware, software, operating systems, internet protocols, shortcuts, common IT abbreviations.
- Indian Railways: History of railways, zones and headquarters, latest Vande Bharat / Amrit Bharat initiatives.
- Art & Culture of India: Classical and folk dances, festivals, traditional paintings, UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
- International Organizations: United Nations (UN) agencies, WHO, IMF, World Bank, WTO, BRICS, G20.
Normalisation & shortlisting rules
Because exams run across dozens of shifts over multiple days, RRB applies mathematical normalisation to make scores fair.
| Parameter | Rule as per CEN 06/2026 |
|---|---|
| Normalisation Method | Percentile-based normalisation formula comparing scores within each shift. |
| Shortlisting for CBT 2 | 15 times the total vacancies in each category for the chosen RRB, based on normalised CBT 1 marks. |
| Final Merit List | Prepared entirely on the basis of marks obtained in CBT 2, subject to qualifying Document Verification & Medical Standards. |
| Tie-Breaking Rule | In case of two candidates with equal marks, the older candidate is ranked higher. If age is identical, alphabetical order of first name decides merit. |
Frequently asked questions
Common doubts regarding RRB NTPC syllabus, negative marking, and stages.
What is the syllabus for RRB NTPC CBT 1?
CBT 1 syllabus covers 3 subjects: General Awareness (40 questions), Mathematics (30 questions), and General Intelligence and Reasoning (30 questions). The total paper has 100 questions of 1 mark each with a 90-minute limit and 1/3 negative marking.
What is the difference between CBT 1 and CBT 2 syllabus?
The core topic lists are identical, but CBT 2 has 120 questions instead of 100 (General Awareness 50, Mathematics 35, Reasoning 35) in the same 90-minute duration, and the difficulty level of questions is noticeably higher.
How is negative marking calculated in RRB NTPC?
Every wrong answer deducts one-third (1/3 or 0.33) of a mark. Unattempted questions carry zero deduction. Your raw score is: Correct Answers - (Wrong Answers / 3).
What are the minimum qualifying marks in RRB NTPC?
The minimum qualifying percentage is: UR: 40%, EWS: 40%, OBC-NCL: 30%, SC: 30%, ST: 25%. However, actual shortlisting cutoffs depend on vacancy count and RRB competition.
Is there a typing skill test in RRB NTPC Graduate 2026?
No. Under CEN 06/2026, the Computer Based Typing Skill Test has been dispensed with for Senior Clerk cum Typist and Junior Accounts Assistant cum Typist. Typing proficiency will be assessed on the job after joining.
How can I prepare the General Awareness section?
General Awareness carries 40 marks in CBT 1 and 50 marks in CBT 2. Focus on NCERT science up to Class 10, modern Indian history, the Constitution of India, and the last 6–8 months of current affairs, especially railway initiatives and awards.
Start practising topics now
Solve previous year papers in real exam mode with a 90-minute countdown timer and 1/3 negative marking.